Fabrication of isotropic interlocking coating via a magnetically responsive self-growing strategy for corrosion resistance

Organic silicon polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), have been considered as ideal materials for protecting metal from cavitation, fouling adhesion, and electrochemical corrosion. However, their application in metal protection is greatly limited by their weak interfacial strength. In this study, we address this limitation by designing an isotropous interlocking coating via a magnetically responsive self-growing strategy, achieving robust interlocking between rigid micropillar arrays and flexible PDMS. The interfacial strength can be precisely tuned from 2.0 to 3.1 MPa by varying the tilt angle of the micropillars, resulting in an increase of 500 % to 700 % compared to the pure PDMS coating. Remarkably, the isotropic interlocking coating with the microcolumn tilt Angle of 55° still maintains above 2.0 MPa even after 12 h of cavitation shock. In addition, the cavitation, fouling release and electrochemical tests of the isotropic interlocking coating were performed respectively to prove its outstanding application potential in metal protection field.